Results 621-640 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State. I compliment her good self and her colleague, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, for the work they continue to do in the whole area for which they have responsibilities. I note that they, and several others, are busy Ministers. That is what one has to be. It is also worth mentioning that the struggle does not stop just there. It continues. There is a...

Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I agree with the sentiments expressed by the previous speakers in regard to the availability of convenient cash for the consumer because the consumer or the customer is the most important person. We have learned this on many occasions over the years. A classic example was that we had a cash machine here in this House which was very convenient for many people. It was in a secure place for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Nitrates Usage (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Is it not assumed that all farmers benefit from the supports available to agriculture in one way or another? Is it not unwise to give the impression that we are anti-profit? I do not know anybody who works for nothing. If the Deputy opposite is suggesting that would be a good thing and beneficial to the agrifood sector in this country, there is a clear and unequivocal answer to that. All...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Sector (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Following up on the last line of questions, what is the extent to which research continues to take place in order to establish the effect on other species or a variation of the disease affecting other species? Regarding the various ash species, for example, American ash, has that species been affected to the same extent? From casual observation, it does not look like as though it has. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Food Safety (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that adequate husbandry and production throughout the food chain, including standards at abattoirs, remains at the highest level, in keeping with EU and national standards; if he is satisfied that best practice continues in all instances, without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38137/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Food Safety (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: The question seeks to ascertain the extent to which production, husbandry, slaughtering and checking facilities continue to prevail throughout all areas of the agri-food business sector and that the same standards are applied to food imports for the home market as well as exports.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Food Safety (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Given that we have had a couple of glitches in the past, including the recent past, in the standards that should have applied at abattoirs throughout the European Union, including in this country, is the Minister satisfied that all abattoirs and all areas where food products are prepared are sufficiently alerted to the necessity to keep to the highest possible standards? The Minister...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Food Safety (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I will also mention the existence previously of so-called horse burgers. Have they been eliminated from the food chain? Is the Minister satisfied that no opportunity exists for anybody to bypass the system? The standards that are applicable here also apply to food imports into this country, particularly from third countries. Is the Minister satisfied that the level of inspection is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I acknowledge the successes of An Garda Síochána, particularly in recent times, by way of interruption and seizing large amounts of illicit drugs. I support the Minister in her efforts to bring about a reduction in drug usage in this country. We need to have a debate but I do not propose to have it here today. Some in the community will say that this needs to be dealt with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I support the sentiments expressed by my colleagues and acknowledge what the Minister has undertaken. I will point out that, in my time in public life, I have never seen the level of violence towards women and mothers of children that I have seen in the past couple of years and in the past two years in particular. There is also this friction whereby the victim has to pursue the other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 20. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she remains satisfied that the public are adequately protected in situations where public demonstrations exceed permissible levels, including intimidating confrontations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38134/24]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 216. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which measures to combat drug dealing continue and are making progress; the progress made in the past two years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38458/24]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which provision is being made to ensure a sufficient increase in the strength of An Garda Síochána to meet law and order requirements now and in the future given demographic trends and events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38135/24]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 91. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the agri-food industry continues to remain competitive and remunerative, and is continuing to grow, keeping in mind climate change requirements and the necessary levels of food production to ensure adequate supply for home and export markets, and the avoidance of food shortages; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 123. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it has not been found possible to extend the bus service from Naas to Blanchardstown to cater for outpatients attending Blanchardstown Hospital, notwithstanding the numerous occasions on which it has been raised, and given that patients have to travel by car, park at a parking meter, occupy space and top up the meter as...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to indicate, notwithstanding replies to previous Parliamentary Questions on the matter, if a second level school place can be found for the son of a person (details supplied); if the matter could be urgently and favourably reconsidered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38455/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 185. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will ensure the necessary funding to facilitate the Kilteel group water scheme upgrade in the County Kildare to a standard and quality required for taking in charge by the local authority; if the necessary funding is readily available given that the quality of the water in the scheme has been subject to concern; and if...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 188. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) now qualifies for fuel allowance given any recent changes to qualification criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38244/24]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 197. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason and circumstances in which adult dependent allowance was ceased in the case of a person (details supplied); if the case could be urgently reviewed, with a view to provision of the appropriate document which deems to render themselves ineligible, who also has contributions in their own name; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (26 Sep 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 198. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way a person (details supplied) might qualify for partial old age pension based on their contributions notwithstanding previous decisions in this regard; if all known contributions have been taken into account as well as homecare for a parent subsequently; if all such contributions can be merged and used in the...